“Why did you agree to marry him if you don’t love him?” I have to know what would make her feel compelled to marry someone she doesn’t love.
She drops her shoulders with a sigh, “I’ve never told anyone this before—I’m not sure why I’m telling you. Maybe because you’re a stranger. Or maybe because I’ll never see you again.”
I growl unexpectedly at her words, shocking both of us. “Go ahead and finish your story.” I coax, needing to hear the rest of it.
“I’ve always dreamed of having a family of my own. My parents weren’t the most loving, but I knew that when I had kids, I would give them all the love I never got from them, plus more.” Her voice sounds so small and sad. All I want to do is pick her up and hold her until her pain goes away. “Anyway, all my friends started getting married. I felt like an old maid, even though I’m only twenty-three.” Shit, I’m fifteen years older than she is, definitely too old for someone as young and sweet as she is. “When my parents suggested I marry one of my dad’s business partners' son, I jumped at the chance—not because I loved him, but because I wanted children.” When I don’t say anything, she continues in a sad voice. “You probably think I’m stupid for jumping into a relationship like that.”
I don’t let her finish before I jump out of my chair and rush to her side, where I kneel beside her and tilt her head so her eyes are fixed on mine. “I think you’re brave for walking through the woods by yourself. I think you’re smart for realizing you were making a mistake by marrying someone you don’t love, and I think you’re way too young for me and for the thoughts I’m having about you.”
six
Journee
He’s having thoughts aboutme. I wonder what they are.
Now is not the time to be shy. Now is the time to be bold and take what I want, whether it’s for one day or for a lifetime.
“True, you say I’m brave, but do you think I’m bold?”
“I think you can be whatever you want to be.” His smile gives me the courage to be bold.
“Have you ever heard that saying, Fortune favors the bold?”
“Can’t say that I ever have.”
“It means that boldness is the beginning of action, but fortune controls how it ends.” I pause to take a deep breath. “I want to be bold with you, True. I want to be bold and take control of my future. I want you to make love to me—not for the deed to your cabin—but because I want you to be my first. I want to take charge of my life and decide how it plays out. Right now, I choose you.”
“You don’t know what you're asking.” He drops his hand from under my chin and begins to stand.
Out of desperation, I grab his hand and press it to my chest, holding it against my heart. “I know my heart has been racing since I first woke up to you standing over me. I know, by your own admission, that you feel the same way. I know you’re a good man who lets his neighbors pay whatever they can for wood and leaves your door open to strangers. But most importantly, youmake me feel safe. Like you’re Papa Bear, but instead of being Goldilocks, I want to be Mama Bear.”
I watch as every emotion runs through his eyes, from fear to denial, to sadness, before finally landing on hope.
“Are you sure about this, Journee?” He covers my hand with his larger one, pressing it against my chest, just like I’m still doing with his other hand.
Without hesitation, I lean forward until our lips are almost touching and whisper, “I’m sure.”
“Alright, but if we do this, it’s not for right now. It’s forever. You’re not the only one who can be bold.”
“Be bold with me,” I say against his lips.
With a growl, he crashes his lips against mine, stealing my breath. For a first kiss, it’s amazing, even though I don’t have anything to compare it to.
“Sorry, was I too rough?” True jerks his head back breaking the kiss. It’s my first kiss—I’ve never kissed anyone before or done anything else.” The tips of his ears turn red as my virgin mountain man is embarrassed by his confession.
“It was perfect.” I wrap my arms around his neck, pull him close, and deepen the kiss—only coming up for air when I’m ready to move forward. “Take me to bed, Pappa Bear.”
With a low growl that sounds exactly like a bear, True picks me up in his arms bridal style and carries me to his bedroom showing me how bold he can be.
seven
True
“Are you sure you’reready for this?” I let her body slide down mine as I set her feet on the floor and take a step back to look into her eyes.
She nods, grabbing the hem of her t-shirt, pulling it over her head, and tossing it on the floor. Next, she reaches behind her back, unhooking her bra before dropping it to the floor, leaving herself exposed to my hungry eyes. “Is this okay? As I said, I’ve never done this before.” She bites her lip, making my cock throb, wanting those lips wrapped around it.
“It’s more than okay. I’ve never done this before either—we’ll learn together.”
